I've had my flower beds for 10 years and I'm going to have to google most of what everyone is wanting just to see what they are and what they look like. My top 5 right now is 1. Spuria Irises any color. 2. Oriental Lilies 3. Asiatic Lilies 4. Flowers that bloom until the first frost. 5. Different color day lilies I have no idea the names of the ones I have. I've been trying to put a name to them but so many of them look alike. I am cleaning off my hillside and have black raspberry vines if anyone is interested. I also have Purple Wisteria, old fashioned purple lilac bushes, and a weeping willow tree that I can take starts from get them rooted and send. I don't like taking starts from those unless someone wants them. I've never shipped a plant so I may need some assistance on how the best way is to ship.

Though -- as has been pointed out -- this is an ancient thread resurrected by some post necromancy spell, I'll respond. @s8us89ds The OP had expressed an interest in plants <u>native to Maryland</u>. This, then, would translate to winter hardy/temperate plants. Perennial plants native to the northern regions require a cold winter dormancy -- even the evergreens. It is not merely a matter of utilizing "indoor grow lights". It is more a matter of providing the freezing or near freezing temps these plants require to go and remain in a dormant state for 3-6 months of the year. Without it, they decline and die. This makes them unsuitable as houseplants as there is no practical way to provide them with such conditions indoors. (Even bonsai trees -- if species from the "Great White North" are used -- MUST be given a cold dormancy.) Now perhaps it might be possible to selectively breed for a lack of dormancy. However, such a program would take years to bear fruit (so to speak) and would likely result in plants which would not go dormant when reintroduced to outdoor life. This would nullify their usefulness as a way to replenish outdoor natives. Finally, most live plants simply do not work well in vivariums long term. Providing conditions the plant require to thrive (not merely survive) whilst simultaneously providing the correct conditions for animals is surprisingly difficult. Furthermore, animals typically beat the heck out of live plants in the confines of a terrarium in short order. (Think how quickly the grass in one's yard gets killed off in certain spots because of all the foot traffic.)

It will be easier for me, and hopefully for you, to show some pictures of the area. I took out some plants between the salvia greggii and blue mist in the bottom middle of this photo: That photo was taken at 4pm and by 5pm the area in question was in total sun. Hot, afternoon sun. But from about 9am until 5pm, it's in shade. I got a break and took the next picture while the sun was behind a cloud. Same garden from the other direction: bostedo, good question. I'd like it to be about 3 to 3-1/2 feet tall, just enough to make it interesting, and contrasting foliage would be nice too. I don't want everything the same height or the same leaf type. I had a gaura lindheimeri there but I think it must have been too wet for it. I have some gaura, probably prairie bee blossom, but it grows in a very dry part of my yard so I don't know how it would do there either. I have to water the salvia greggii at least once a week to keep the leaves from folding. But you have given me a thought. I have some gulf muhly that I need to move. But I have it in full sun now. I don't know how it would like so much shade. I also have some twistleaf yucca, but again, I don't know how it will like that much shade and moisture. I was planning to put it out by the street. Perylene, I'm afraid turk's cap and beautyberry would get too tall in this location. I wish Hot lips salvia was native; I've always liked it. I have a salvia azurea a little further down from this spot. I just bought it this summer so it hasn't gotten big or weedy. yet. If I like it there, I'll let it spread. So far, it seems to like that area. p.s. I also thought of little bluestem, but I was afraid it might look too weedy and be too aggressive there. This post was edited by marti8a on Fri, Sep 5, 14 at 18:47

You're right Iris but I think I know where Im going to plant everything. I'll try to take before and after pictures. I told Jay before, Im going to take a week off work, maybe two, to do all my prepping and planting. One week in spring, one in summer. Have to get all the other projects done too- stain the deck, fix a couple siding shingles, refinish a bathtub, a couple drainage and grading projects... just writing that down made me apprehensive haha.